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UnigovUnigov is the name adopted by the city of Indianapolis to describe a united city and county government, adopted in 1970 by act of the Indiana state legislature. Indianapolis was intentionally surveyed and founded as the capitol of the US state of Indiana. Given the state of urban planning of 1821, little thought was given to organic growth as a city. Original planners were of the opinion that it would never grow beyond its original square mile (2.6 km²) layout (still known as "the Mile Square"). Contrary to their belief, Marion County soon was filled with small communities that were often in some way connected to supporting either the state government or with businesses that had formed to take advantage of Indianapolis's excellent location midway between Chicago, Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky. City growth happened in fits and starts, and it was possible in some areas to leave and re-enter Indianapolis while traveling in a straight line. In addition, affluent citizens were moving to more fashionable suburbs north of the city limits but within Marion County, hastening urban decay. The solution of Unigov was ultimately developed, which would unite county and city government functions into a single jurisdiction. Ultimately, what emerged was a compromise. The cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, and Speedway each maintained autonomy, with their own police forces, school systems, and mayors, although they are also represented on Unigov's Common Council (legislative body), since other services like road and natural resource management were granted to Unigov. In addition, fire service and school districts were maintained at their pre-Unigov borders, and some otherwise-incorporated towns were permitted to maintain independent police forces. Indianapolis is not the only US city to have adopted a consolidated city-county government. This also has been done by Jacksonville and Louisville, among others.
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